Qantas has cancelled orders for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Australian carrier has also delayed delivery of the first batch of 15 787 aircraft by four years.
Qantas’s low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, was due to receive the group’s first 787s next year.
In a statement, Boeing said discussions between Qantas and Boeing commenced some months ago and were not influenced by the announcement this week to postpone the 787 first flight.
Boeing added: “Even with the reduction, the Qantas Group jointly remains the biggest airline customer for 787 family aircraft.”
Qantas Group and ANA each have ordered 50 787s.
Qantas said the decision to abort orders for 15 787s would reduce the airline’s capital expenditure by AU$US3 billion based on current list prices for the aircraft.
The first 15 787-9s due for Jetstar’s international operations will now be delivered 
from mid-2013, three years later than planned.
By Travelmole Asia
